21score
#78 of 555
Overall rank

Core i9-12900F

16 cores · 24 threads · up to 5.1 GHz on FCLGA1700.

4.2 · 31 votes

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Cores
16
Threads
24
Boost
5.1 GHz
L3 cache
30 MB
TDP
65W
Socket
FCLGA1700

Performance breakdown

Gaming21
Productivity22
Single-core22
Multi-core67
Power efficiency18

Lab scores

Performance score21
Cores16
Threads24
Boost clock (GHz)5.1 GHz

Estimated gaming FPS

Paired with a high-end GPU. CPU impact is largest at 1080p.

1080p46 fps
1440p37 fps
4K25 fps

Full specifications

Processor & cores
Architecture
Alder Lake-S
Process node
Intel 7 nm
Socket
FCLGA1700
Release year
2022
Total cores
16
Threads
24
Integrated graphics
None
Clocks & cache
Base clock
2.4 GHz
Boost clock
5.1 GHz
L1 cache
1280 KB
L2 cache
20 MB
L3 cache
30 MB
Memory & platform
Memory support
DDR5-4800
Max capacity
128 GB
Channels
2
Max bandwidth
76.8 GB/s
Base power (TDP)
65W
Max temperature
100°C
PCIe
PCIe 5.0 and 4.0
Technologies
Instruction sets
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Extensions
AES-NI, AVX, VT-x, VT-d, Turbo Boost Max 3.0, TXT, TSX
Community Feedback

What Owners Say

Owners love the multi-tasking speed for gaming and productivity. The common gripe is the cooler runs loud under full load.

Pros
  • Crushes heavy multitasking without breaking a sweat
  • Stays impressively cool under a big air cooler
  • Plays modern games with zero CPU bottleneck
  • Sips power like a mid-range chip should
Cons
  • Needs a pricey cooler
  • No overclocking support
  • Lacks integrated graphics
Verdict

Our verdict on the Core i9-12900F

Intel's i9-12900F is a top-tier Alder Lake processor that trades integrated graphics for a lower price and cooler running temperatures.

Get it if you want solid multi-core performance for heavy tasks without needing an overclockable chip. Skip it if you need integrated graphics for troubleshooting or a budget build without a dedicated card.

Buy it if…

  • You're building a high-end work or gaming rig but need to keep power usage in check.
  • You already have a discrete graphics card and don't need built-in video.
  • You want top-tier multi-tasking performance on a mid-range LGA1700 motherboard.
4.2

31 votes

Rate this CPU

Add your verdict